Wild, Risky and Perfect?

C

Cara_E

Active Member
Joined
25 April 2016
Messages
37
Visit site
I'm so confused.

Some may remember that I bought my first pony last month and she died five days later. I'm now on the hunt for another pony. My instructor found a cute cob for me, which I felt really good about - even though he's not at all what I wanted to get. I wanted a Highland mare aged 6-15 who was reliable and safe and had a spark of wildness or cheekiness.

My instructor said no way. I'm a beginner and I need a beginner's horse. She found for me a sweet cob who is so slow and dull he's practically catatonic. He's wonderful - playful and sweet - but he's just boring. He's the one who was on the yard with strangles, and because he was on the yard with strangles, I didn't exchange money until he got the all-clear. Well he's got the all-clear and it's time to pay. But I don't want him anymore.

There is another horse I've had my eye on for two months. She ticks all the boxes - she's mannerly, gentle, sweet-natured but "is not a novice ride." She doesn't buck but can be forward going. I talked with the owner/breeder for two months over PM and phone, she talked with my instructor, and she's finally said I can have her if I take 10 intense lessons so I can walk, trot, and canter without feeling out of control.

I said I'd do it - I'm happy to do it! But my instructor is pushing for the cob - hard. She says he's perfect for me, he can be sharpened up, etc. She also said she can't accommodate my lessons so I'd need to find someone else to do that, but after those lessons, she'd teach me on whatever I buy.

I just can't make myself get excited about the cob anymore. Also, he's a thousand pounds more than the Highland, if that makes any difference. I want my Highland. So what do I do? Buy the one who is basically as safe as riding in a car or buy the one who thrills me?

There is a bigger risk in buying the Highland, but after my first horse died, I feel like all horses are risks. I want to learn to be a good horsewoman - is it possible to do that on a horse that is perhaps just a bit too much for you when you're just starting out?

Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
Last edited:
I'm rather thinking that this poster is a wind up but on the off chance/because I'm stuck on a bus anyway...

Get out from under your instructor's thumb. Go to a riding school for a bit/try to get a share horse. Once you have a bit more experience you'll be in a better position to buy a horse that will suit you for longer.
 
In honesty, neither sound like the right horse but I would agree with your instructor that out of the two the cob sounds better suited to your current ability. That said, after what happened with your poor mare I wouldn't go rushing into any decisions. I'm a big believer in the fact you will know when you meet the right horse...and not just because it fits the breed you dreamt of owning.

The trouble with slightly quirky horses, is that without a competent rider than can often get out of control and confidence can so easily be lost, but is often far harder to regain.
 
If the cob isn't 'the one' let the seller know asap that you aren't buying. Once that's out of the equation you can move on to making a decision about your instructor. I think the consensus on another thread was that the cob would suit her needs but not necessarily yours and now she isn't prepared to teach you for a certain period if you buy the Highland. Out of interest why do you stick with this instructor?
 
I'd be going for the cob, if I'm honest. Your instructor knows your riding best so I'd be taking her advice. She's right, you'd be amazed at the difference that changing feed, routine and riding can do to spark up horses, I know plenty of cobs that are 'dull and boring' until you get the poles out or you ask them to pick up the pace. If he's really that reliable and safe he'll be sought after so I'd be tempted to buy him, improve your riding and then sell on in a few years time and then get your dream Highland when you've got more experience.
 
I agree with all the other posters, and also unsure if this is a wind up, on the off chance it's not.........

A. I would wait until you have more experience of riding many different types before you buy one, that is how you will become an all round horsewoman. I rode for 13+years before I got my own and boy did I feel out of my depth!!

B. I would listen to my instructor, presumably she is an all round horsewoman and can see disaster written all over the Highland!

C. I had a friend who bought a Highland, who had spark, she was a novice, she was in A&E more times than she was on it's back!
 
From an instructor point of view, I would advise against the Highland, who has been honestly described as "not a novice ride". Getting something that is not suitable for your current level of ability is the fastest way to ruin your confidence, spoil a decent little horse, and possibly result in a nasty accident. Slow and safe may be dull, but we all had to go through that stage whilst learning, for a very good reason. The cob may not make your heart sing, but he sounds perfect for your current situation -it's not writ in stone that you have to keep every horse you buy, so why not have him for a year or so, then sell him on to someone else who needs a safe horse to learn on.
A forward going Highland can be a force to be reckoned with. I think you would be mad to go down that route at this stage.
 
So you've been riding this cob for a few weeks whilst it's been on the yard with strangles awaiting results. His owners obviously thinking that as long as his results come back clear you'll be having him so have been happy to allow you to ride him (despite no money having been exchanged yet) and you haven't had any problems with him in this time.
And suddenly you've decided against having him despite the clear result and that he's been foot perfect.
If I were the owners I would be pretty miffed!! That is a massive waste of their time as far as I'm concerned.

If you get the Highland, what happens if it ditches you countless times due to your lack of ability and you lose your confidence? Then you'll wish you'd had the cob!
 
Well, in my defense, I did pay the owner for the lessons (it's a riding school pony - she charged me what she normally charges, and I paid my instructor what she normally charges as well.) But it does sound like the cob is the way to go - or at least a safe, steady, calm ride is the way to go. That is so not what I wanted to hear. Thank you for all your thoughts - I do appreciate them.
 
Your RI is thinking of your safety. There is no way 10 lessons, however intense, will take a beginner rider to the level of a pony that is advertised as 'not a novice ride' imo.
 
Crackerz said:
Your RI is thinking of your safety. There is no way 10 lessons, however intense, will take a beginner rider to the level of a pony that is advertised as 'not a novice ride' imo.
Click to expand...

I agree. I actually think it was foolish of the RI to say that to the OP as it has set an unrealistic expectation for them.

OP why are you in such a hurry to buy a horse? With your level of experience you'd be best placed having as many lessons as you can afford on as many different types of horses as you can. Not only will this help you work out what type of horse would be best for you, but also equip you with the knowledge and experience of how to get the best out of any horse you ride.
 
I'm confused. In another thread a few days ago you said that you had bought a new pony and someone else wanted to use him for lessons?
 
I thought you had bought the cob already, were keeping him at your RIs place and she was wanting to teach someone else on him too?
I must have got hold of the wrong end of the stick.
 
No, he was at the riding school and we were waiting to move him to the RI's yard until he got the all-clear. And yeah, someone else wanted lessons on him.
 
I think OP hasn't yet paid for the cob as they were waiting for the all clear for strangles before paying....at least that's what I understood from the first post on this thread, but do recall reading the other thread where the cob had already been bought because they'd already had lots of lessons in the first week of owning him? It's all a bit confusing. I just feel sorry for the seller in all of this.
 
............ I just can't make myself get excited about the cob anymore. Also said:
If it's 'thrills' you're seeking why not set your sights a little higher and go for a 3 year old TB straight off the track? then you can teach each other :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
 
FestiveFuzz said:
I think OP hasn't yet paid for the cob as they were waiting for the all clear for strangles before paying....at least that's what I understood from the first post on this thread, but do recall reading the other thread where the cob had already been bought because they'd already had lots of lessons in the first week of owning him? It's all a bit confusing. I just feel sorry for the seller in all of this.
Click to expand...

Yeah, don't. It's a dealer who has been mentioned here a few times as a shady type. I'm perfectly sure that this person will be just fine. (Also I *paid for the usage of the school and the usage of the pony while doing my lessons*.) I promise, the seller hasn't lost a penny due to me.

That said, I think the wise thing to do is buy the cob and learn everything I can.
 
chillipup said:
If it's 'thrills' you're seeking why not set your sights a little higher and go for a 3 year old TB straight off the track? then you can teach each other :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Yes! Why didn't I think of that?! Also, I'll start dating serial killers and maybe contract Ebola just to see if I can get rid of it!
 
Your potential cob seems 'boring' now but it might be worth considering that because you are a novice rider, your skills determine what you can get out of him. He will surprise you as you become a more skilled rider. Don't write him off, work with him and build a relationship, especially if he is a sweet boy. Highlands can be feisty ponies, especially mares, who are hormonal, feisty ponies!
 
HunkyDory said:
Your potential cob seems 'boring' now but it might be worth considering that because you are a novice rider, your skills determine what you can get out of him. He will surprise you as you become a more skilled rider. Don't write him off, work with him and build a relationship, especially if he is a sweet boy. Highlands can be feisty ponies, especially mares, who are hormonal, feisty ponies!
Click to expand...

I'm leaning that way now. I have absolutely no doubt that I'll love him ferociously within a few months, and my instructor has said he can do pretty much everything except jump a three foot hedge. And he did recently win a dressage competition, so it's not like he's useless.

Looks like the Highland will be next year's purchase.
 
Get the cob vetted before handing any money over! Especially as you've just said he belongs to a potentially dodgy dealer - there could be a reason he's very 'quiet and placid' at the moment which could change once you move him from that yard..

Also does your RI and the person your buying the cob from know each other? I cant help but think you would be so much better sharing a horse for a bit before buying one. If you can get some hands on experience caring for the horse and learning with the horse then buying something like a Highland could be on the cards for the future.
 
Crackerz said:
I'm not going to beat around the bush here. Your RI is coming across as completely useless... It might be worth you seeking a different yard to move your new pony to & new instructor
Click to expand...

I'm reading between lines here and think the op is hearing what she wants to hear :/

Op, no offence I think you're a way off jumping a 3 foot hedge!
 
Crackerz said:
I'm not going to beat around the bush here. Your RI is coming across as completely useless... It might be worth you seeking a different yard to move your new pony to & new instructor
Click to expand...

Thank you for saying that. The possibility that she was receiving a financial kickback on the purchase of the pony was something that crossed my mind.
 
Identityincrisis said:
I'm reading between lines here and think the op is hearing what she wants to hear :/

Op, no offence I think you're a way off jumping a 3 foot hedge!
Click to expand...


It is unlikely I will *ever* jump a three foot hedge! : ) My instructor was just making the point that he does have some spark - just not crazy jumping spark.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top